Statute of limitations in Massachusetts

The periods in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the time limit to sue is 6 years for a written contract, 6 years for an oral contract and 3 years for damage to property. Each period runs from the date the claim arises, which statutes usually call the date the cause of action accrues; in the ordinary case that is the day of the breach or the damage.

A written contract and an oral contract: M.G.L. c. 260, § 2 reads “shall, except as otherwise provided, be commenced only within six years next after the cause of action accrues.”

Damage to property: M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A reads “shall be commenced only within three years next after the cause of action accrues.”

Massachusetts gives written and oral contracts the same 6 years, so whether the deal was put on paper does not change the deadline here.

Worked dates for a claim that arose on March 15, 2026: a written contract reaches its 6 years on March 15, 2032, an oral contract reaches its 6 years on March 15, 2032 and damage to property reaches its 3 years on March 15, 2029. Tolling rules (for example while a defendant is out of state, or for a minor) can extend a period, and some claims run from when the harm was discovered; the dates show the plain count only.

Among the 34 jurisdictions verified here, 6 allow longer than 6 years on a written contract and 12 allow less (median 6 years). For property damage, 8 of 33 give less than Massachusetts's 3 years (median 3 years). Michigan, New York and Vermont have the same three periods.

Neighbouring states with verified periods (written / oral / property): New Hampshire 3 / 3 / 3, New York 6 / 6 / 3, Rhode Island 10 / 10 / 10 and Vermont 6 / 6 / 3. Which state's period applies to a dispute that crosses a border is itself a legal question.

Section 2 governs actions of contract (other than those under seal); § 2A governs actions of tort, which include damage to property.

The time limit is the same whichever court hears the case. A claim of $7,000 or less can be filed in Massachusetts small claims (small claims limit), and it must still be filed inside the period above.

Sources: Massachusetts Legislature, M.G.L. c. 260, § 2; Massachusetts Legislature, M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A · last checked October 21, 2026.

Before the deadline

A limitation period is a cut-off for filing, not a measure of whether a claim is good. The guide on how limitation periods work explains accrual, tolling and the difference between written and oral contracts, and the small claims filing guide covers the next step.